Capsule filling machine



Much 5, 1935. FERRQ 1,993,092

' CAPSULE FILLING MACHINE File i Nov. 14. 1931 4 sheets-sheet 1 March 5, R FERRQ CAPSULE FILLING M'AcI-IINE Filed Nov. 14, 1931 4 sneeti-sne t 2 i m mmvro $7 Q m mm 9% a CAPSULE FILLING MACHINE Filed Nov. 14. 1931 R. FERRO 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 March 5, 1935. FERRO 1,993,092

CAPSULE FILLING MACHINE Filed Nov. 14, 1931 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 ATTORNEY Patented Mar. 5, 1935 PATENT OFFICE CAPSULE FILLING MACHINE Raffaele Ferro,

Brooklyn, N. Y.

Application November 14, 1931, Serial No. 574,933

38 Claims.

This invention relates to machines for filling capsules and similar containers.

Among the objects of this invention are to provide a device of the character described having improved means for successively engaging capsules; improved means for successively bringing the capsules into alinement with a source of material; Lnproved means for filling the material into the capsule; improved means for replacing the cover on the capsule; improved means for releasing the capsule; improved means adjusting any or all of the foregoing means to operate on capsules of different sizes in diameter or length or both; and preferably a unitary or indicator means for effecting several of said adjustments. Other objects of this invention are to provide a device of the character described having means coordinated in an improved means for simultaneously opening or engaging one capsule while filling another capsule'or placing the cover thereon; and improved drive means for operating the device in a simplified coordinated manner. By this invention, capsules pass down a chute and are successively gripped and each capsule started along a path, at one point of which the cover of the capsule is removed, while at a further point the body of the capsule is brought into alinement with a filling means. Here the capsule body is gripped by another means, and is filled by a powder discharging means or the like, which is constructed to preclude clogging or banking of the powder. After being filled, the capsule body moves onward along its path while the means that holds the removed cover comes into relative position therewith, for replacing the cover. After being covered, the movement of the capsule may continue to a suitable point where it may be released and discharged. It will be understood that various dwells may be provided, if desired, to simplify the removal or replacement of the cover, or the filling of the capsule body.

The invention therefore includes among its objects improved means for accomplishing the above described purposes or movements, and it will be understood that various combinations and arrangements may be made within the principles of the invention. 7'

A further object of the invention is to furnish a device of the nature setforth having comparatively few and simple parts, and which is rela tively inexpensive to manufacture and assemble, reliable, durable, and efficient in use to a high degree.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent as the specification proceeds.

With the aforesaid objects in view, the invention consists in the novel combinations and arrangements of parts hereinafter described in their 5 preferred embodiments, pointed out in the subjoined claims, and illustrated on the annexed drawings, wherein like parts are designated by the same reference characters throughout the several views.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a view in vertical section taken on the broken line 11 of Fig. 2, on a slightly reduced scale, and with certain parts removed, this view showing a device embodying the invention. 15

Fig. 2 is a top plan View of the device with the filling bin and certain associated parts removed.

Fig. 3 is a view in vertical section taken on the broken line 3-3 of Fig. 1. I

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view 20 taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a vertical sectional view taken on line 5-5 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary vertical view with parts in section showing details of the drive.

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary view in elevation of a detail of an adjusting drive.

Fig. 8 is a similar view taken at right angles to Fig. 7.

Fig. 9 is a separate plan view of means for re- 30 ceiving the capsule for carrying the same to a decapping means, together with coacting cams, a fragment whereof is shown.

Fig. 10 is a separate plan view of the decapping means and its operating parts.

Fig. 11 is a view in side elevation thereof with a part in section.

Fig. 12 is a separate view in elevation of the parts operating the valve plunger and the platform jarring means with parts in section.

Fig. 13 is a separate view in elevation taken at right angles to the plane of Fig. 12 and showing certain parts of the latter in a different position of operation.

' Fig.14 is a diagrammatic plan view of all the 4.5

interconnected adjusting means.

The advantages of the invention as here outlined are best realized when all of its features and instrumentalities are combined in one and the same structure, but, useful devices may be produced embodying less than the whole It will be obvious to those skilled in the art'to which this invention appertains, that the same may be incorporated in several different con- Structions- The accompanying drawings, therefore, is submitted merely as showing the preferred exemplification of the invention.

Referring in detail to the drawings, 10 denotes a device embodying the invention and which may be used for filling capsules or other equivalent containers. This device may include a base plate or frame 11 on which may rest the frame of the machine including the vertical spaced frame members 12, 13 extending lengthwise of the machine and which may be secured to the base 11. The frame may also include top plates or bars 14, 15 mounted therein and in spaced relation to each other to afford a track or path 16 therebetween extending longitudinally of the machine. A suitable drive means is mounted on the machine frame, preferably below the top plates 14, 15. Thus a transverse main drive shaft 17 may be journaled in the frame members 12, 13 and rotated by a handwheel 18 or in any other suitable manner. l2, 13 may be a counter shaft 19 which may be rotated as by a gear 20 secured thereon and engaging a pinion 21 on the main shaft 1'1. The countershaft may rotate in counter clockwise direction and may carry spaced earns 22, 23 and 24 for operating various parts of the machine.

Disposed at a substantially central point along the path 16 is a source of supply such as a bin 25 for furnishing material or powder to the capsules. This bin may have an upper cylindrical portion and a lower conical portion 26, terminating in a small outlet 27 at the bottom thereof. At the top of the bin there may be a removable cover 28. This bin or a. portion thereof is preferably mounted for vertical adjustment for a purpose hereinafter described. Thus a stationary bracket 29 may be secured on the plate 14, this bracket having a plurality of vertically spaced alined lugs 30 for carrying the vertical parallel guide bars 31. Movable along these ba rs is a carrier bracket 32 having vertically spaced arms 33 provided with openings for slidingly engaging the guide bars. The bin 25 may be mounted on the carrier 32 so that it is vertically adjustable along a fixed path. As shown in the drawings, the carrier 32 may have a lower conical portion 34 for snugly receiving the lower end of the bin, and the bin may permanently or removably rest in said portion. For vertically adjusting the bin, and hence the outlet 27 thereof, a bar 35 may be secured toa lug 36 of the carrier 32, this bar extending vertically downward through an opening 37 in the plate 13 in position to be vertically moved by a suitable means below said plate.

The portion 34 of the carrier 32 may rotatably carry a gripping'means which operates at opposite sides of the axis of the bin. Said gripping means may be used for removing a cover of a capsule and may include a plurality of horizontal oppositely extending arms 38 that may be connected to a hub 39 journaled on the portion 34. Coacting with the arms 38 are companion arms 40 carried thereby, preferably in movable relation therewith as by being slidingly mounted on transverse fiat pins 41 secured to the arms 38. Tending to draw the arms 38 and 40 toward each other are tension coil springs 42. The free ends of the arms may have suitable concave gripping portions 43 for slidingly receiving and engaging a capsule cover vertically therebetween. Due to the relative movement possible between the arms 38 and 40 capsule covers of different sizes may be received and frictionally or resiliently engaged for easy entrance or removal of the capsule covers therefrom. For rotating the gripping means, a collar Also journaled in the frame members 44 may be connected to the hub 39, this collar having secured thereto a cam 45. For retaining the cam, a plate 46 may be connected to the member 34, said plate 46 having an opening registering with the outlet 27.

Disposed underneath the plates 14, 15 and parallel to the path 16 are a plurality of guide bars or tracks 47 that may be secured in end transverse frame members 48 interconnecting the frame members 12, 13. Along these tracks is movable a table or platform 49 provided with spaced lugs 50 that engage the tracks, and an upper portion of the platform moving along and within the path 16. This platform may have a fixed vertical'pivot 51 on which are mounted a plurality of arms 52 in the manner of a pair of scissors. At one end of said arms 52 there may be an expansion coil spring 53 tending to move the arms apart. The other and preferably longer ends of the arms may have mating concave or preferably angular gripping portions 54 for engaging a capsule. The position of the arms 52 represents an end or capsule receiving position there being a vertical capsule chute 55 in alinement with the gripping portions 54 in this position. This chute may be longitudinally split as for adjustably receiving capsules of different diameters. Each half 56 of the chute may be suitably lnOllll'tBd in a comparatively stationary manner, as on plates 57. The latter may be secured 1 to blocks 58 mounted on the frame plates 14, 15 on opposite sides of the path 16. Since the chute 55 extends into relatively close proximity to the arms 52, the latter serve as a closure for the bottom of the chute when out of alinement therewith, the upper surfaces of said arms being plane for this purpose. The chute may have a small opening 54a in the bottom portion of the chute to afford a clearance for removal of a capsule by the arms 52 holding the same.

In order to cause a capsule received by the arms 52 to be positively gripped thereby, the blocks 58 may extend into the path 16 and afford cam surfaces for actuation of rollers 59 secured to the respective arms 52. The cam surfaces referred to may include a dwell at 60 where the capsules are received by the arms, then an inward offset and dwell at 61 as the arms 52 move toward the right, whereby both arms are simultaneously positively moved toward each other for gripping the capsule against the force of spring 53.

In order to move the arms 52 along the path 16 after receiving a capsule, means such as a lever 62 may be pivotally mounted on a transverse shaft 63 secured in the frame members 12, 13. This shaft may be pivotally connected at 64 with a link 65 connected at 66 with the platform 49 that carries said arms. An expansion spring 6511 may act between the lower free end of the lever and a stationary central abutment 6'7 on the base 11. For swinging the lever, the same may have a roller 68 for following along the cam 23, whereby the platform 49 may be reciprocated by rotation of the cam.

For positive adjustment of the 52 for capsules of different diameters, the blocks 58 may be movable transverselyof the machine as along dovetail joints 69 that may secure the blocks ts the plates l4, 15. Such movement of the blocks toward or away from each other causes a corresponding movement of the parts 56 of the split chute 55 and also of the cam surfaces 68, 61 that actuate the rollers 59 and hence the arms 52. The movement referred to may be effected by the provision of a plurality of suitable means as bell crank levers 70 having fixed pivots 71 on the plates 14, and having one of their ends loosely connected at 72 to the blocks 58, it being understood that only a very slight movement of the blocks is required as the capsules vary very. little in size. The other ends 73 of the bell crank levers are positioned in proximity toward each other, and the leverage being such that any movement at the ends 73 will be considerably increased at 72. For actuating both levers 70 as a unit, a wedge element 74 may be movable between the ends 73. This wedge element may be carried by a hub 75. For mounting the latter, a plurality of lugs 76 are provided on the frame plates 14, 15, these lugs carrying a screw 77 which is journaled therein and held against longitudinal movement as by collars 78. Threaded on the screw is a cam sleeve 79 which may be of cylindrical form and the threaded bore of which may be at an acute angle to the ax s of the cylinder. The hub 75 may have a bore at a similar angle so as to freely slidingly seat on the sleeve. Hence when the screw 77 is turned, the cam sleeve is moved therealong, but the hub 75, being confined between stationary guides 80, is caused to move in a direction transverse to the screw, so as to decrease or increase the distance between the ends 73 of the bell crank arms. Hence it will be apparent that the wedge element 74 acts against the expansion spring 53 that causes rollers 59 to move outward against the cam faces 60, 61. It will be understood that the mounting of the hub 75 may be such as to prevent turning thereof.

Thus the arms 52 properly receive. and then snugly engage the capsules, while the chute 55 freely slidingly holds the same and in pro-per position for discharging to the arms 52.

In order that a capsule when first freely received by the arms 52 shall be retained thereby and not fall through, means such as a plate 82 may be provided positioned underneath the gripping portions 54 of said arms. Specifically a split finger 83 may be employed, pivotally mounted at 84 and having a rule type joint 85 between the parts 86, 87 thereof. A leaf spring 88 acts between said parts to retain the same in the stopped position of the joint 85, in which case the member 82 will be spaced at a predetermined distance between the arms 52 so that a proper grip or at a desired point may be obtained on the capsule. To afford a vertical adjustment of the member 82 according to the length of different capsules, the pivot 84 may be mounted on a slide plate 89 as by means of a member 89a, the plate having sliding engagement along a surface 90 of the machine frame. Connected to this slide plate 89 is a pin 91 passing through a vertical slot 92 of. the frame 48, and having an expansion coil spring'93 taking therearound. This spring acts to exert a force for causing the slide plate to snugly hug the frame 48. Pivotally connected at 94 to the screw is an upright link 95. A horizontal bar 96 may pivotally connect the link 95 with an arm 97 that is fixed to the threaded shaft 77. Hence by turning the threaded shaft 77, the slide plate is adjusted vertically. When the platform 49 moves toward the right, the member 87 is depressed and remains entirely below said platform, until the latter returns to its initial position.

It will be understood that rotation of the threaded shaft 77 may be accomplished manually by a finger piece 103 connected thereto and with which may rotate a pointer 104 associated with a dial 105. The several parts are coordinated for different diameter and lengths of capsules, which may have predetermined or constant relations, and only a small angular movement of the finger piece may sufiice to effect the adjustment.

Because of the broken finger 83, the platform is free to move along the path 16, since the platform will merely cause the part 87 to swing downward and ride along the underside of the same until the platform 49 returns to initial position.

When the arms 52 with the capsule and its cover thereon begin traveling toward the right, the platform 49 being actuated by cam 23, there is a dwell at 106 in the path of travel ofthe arms, the gripping portions 54 being alined with the point 106. Thereafter the movement continues until the portions come into alinement with the outlet 27 of the bin 25-. These movements may be readily followed on the cam 23 which has a dwell 107 corresponding to the initial position of the arms 52 shownin Fig. 2, then a slope leading to a dwell 108 corresponding to the position mentioned for point 106, and another slope leading to a dwell 109 corresponding to the position of the arms in alinement with the outlet 27. From the dwell 109, the roller 68 returns to the initial dwell 107, completing the reciprocation of the arms 52.

When the capsule gripping portions 54 are at point 106, they are in alinement with a means for stripping the cover from the capsule body. This -means may consist of a member 110 having a V shaped notch 111 for receiving and engaging the capsule body below the cover and thereupon moving upward to strip off said cover by pressing on the lower edge of the cover. As point 106 also represents the center of the grippingportions 43 of the adjacent arms 38 and 40, the capsule cover so removed is directly forced upwardly into said engagement portions 43 to be held thereby for later replacement on the capsule body after it is filled.

The means for mounting and actuating the stripper arm 1 10 may include an element 112 pivotally mounted for upward swinging movement on lugs 113 that are stationary on frame, plate 14. In order that the notch .111 may uniformly engage capsules of different diameters, the stripper arm is mounted on the element 112 by means of a vertical pivot 114 with which may coact a leaf spring 115 tending to throw the stripper arm clockwise toward the capsule, and there being a stop portion 116 to limit such swinging movement to accommodate the smallest capsule that might be used. For upwardly swinging the stripper arm, an element 117 may extend downward therefrom through an opening 118 in the frame plate 14, the lower end of said element being equipped with a roller 119 for following along the edge of a cam 120. The latter may be journaled at 121 on a bracket 122 fastened to the frame member 12. The cam 120 may have a dwell 123 corresponding to an initial position of the stripper arm 110, and a higher dwell 124 corresponding to the elevated position of said strip-- per arm. The cam 120 may be rotated back and forth through a suitable angle, as by an arm 125 suitably connected to the cam, said arm being oscillated by a connecting rod 126 pivotally connected thereto as at 127. The connecting rod 126 may be actuated by any suitable means herein after described.

As the gripper portions 54 of the arms 52 move into alinement with the outlet 27 of the bin 25,

the lower end of the capsule body held by said gripper portions rides up over a guide member 128 that is provided with a depression 129 of any suitable depth in alinement with the outlet 2'7. When alinement of the gripper portions 54 with the outlet 27 is attained, the arms 52 open up so as to release the capsule body and permit it to drop into and sit in the recess 129 in vertical alinement with said outlet. The means whereby the arms 52 are caused to open will now be described.

Each of the blocks 58 is provided in its upper portion with an angular recess 130. Positioned in said recess is a member 131 which is suitably pivotally connected to the block 58 at 132 and urged toward the right by an expansion coil spring 133 against a stop portion 134. In this position, the member 131 has a cam face 135 in the plane of the cam face 61 so that the roller 59 is free to ride smoothly along to the end of the cam face 1 135 without any change in gripping force on the capsule body. It will be noted that the rollers extend only a short distance downward. At the end of the cam face 135, there is a recess 136 which the roller 59 is adapted to enter, releasing the force on the arm 52. Hence the expansion coil spring '53 is adapted at this point to swing both arms 52 apart so that the gripping portions 54 thereof release the capsule body, leaving the same seated at 129. It will be understood that when the arms 52 begin their return stroke toward the left, the rollers 59 acting in the recesses 136 swing the members 131 counterclockwise, the members 131 being received in the recesses 130 and the spring 133 being compressed. When the members 131 are so retracted, the edges 137 of the recesses 136 are inclined toward the cam faces 61 so that the rollers 59 ride inward and back onto the cam faces 61, the arms 52 and their gripper portions 54 being closed back of the capsule body seated at 129. The return movement of the arms 52 then continues to initial position with the rollers bearing on the cam faces 60.

In order to assure that the material in the bin 25 may be fed to the capsule body without loss of any material, it is desirable that the upper open end of the capsule body be brought into snug contact with the underside of the plate 46 which may be uniformly plane or of any other form for tight fitting engagement with the edge of the capsule opening. Hence the carrier 128 may be upwardly movable to bring the capsule body against the plate 46. Thus the carrier 128 may be secured on a vertical rod 138 slidingly mounted in a bracket 139 connected to a frame 13. Taking around the rod 138, there may be an expansion coil spring 140 tending to elevate the rod 138 against any suitable stop for limiting the upward motion. When the arms 52 approach the bin outlet 27, the lower end of the capsule engages the downwardly curved end 141 of the carrier and depresses and moves over the same. When the arms 52 release the capsule, the carrier 128 moves upwardly under actuation of the spring 140, but occupies a position lower than its initial position, because the capsule body acts as a spacer to prevent full upward return of the carrier, for a purpose later described.

In filling the capsule body a suitable valve control and agitating means for the material may be employed which will be described hereinafter. The means for obtaining the filled capsule body and replacing the cover thereon will now be described.

Movable along the other portion of the path 16 at an opposite side of the bin, there may be a second platform 142 having lugs 143 whereby it is slidingly mounted on the bars 47. This platform may have a recess 144 in the upper surface thereof for receiving the arms 145 that are pivotally mounted at the common pivot 146 on the platform. These arms 145 may also have mating gripper portions 147 for receiving the filled capsule body, the gripper portions being preferably at the same elevation as the gripper portions 54. Tending to move the arms together is a tension coil spring 148. For opening the arms, the same are provided with divergent ends 149 adapted to receive therebetween a roller 150 mounted on a lever 151. The latter may be pivotally connected at 152 to a lug 153 of the platform 142. On the frame plate 14, there may be a lug 154 through which is threaded an adjustable stop 155 that can be turned by a finger piece 156. Now when the platform 142 moves toward the right, the free end of the lever 151 comes into abutment with the stop 155, causing the roller 150 to enter between the ends 149 and to open the arms 145 against the force of the tension spring 148. When the platform 142 moves toward the left, the roller 150, which may sit into dwells 157 in the ends 149 of the arms 145 may be retained in such engagement, the lever 151 moving with the platform, and the arms 145 continuing to remain open. The precise path of movement of the platform in coordination with its cam 24 will now be described.

The platform 142 has a downward extending lug 158, to which may be engaged a link 159 that may be pivotally connected to a lever 160 in the manner of the members 65 and 62. The lever 160 may be pivoted on a shaft 161 that is connected to the frame members 12, 13. It may have a roller 162 and an expansion coil spring 163 for swinging the lever counterclockwise so that said roller engages the cam 24. The latter may have a dwell 164 corresponding to the initial position of the platform at the right hand end of the path 16. As cam 24 rotates counterclockwise, there follows an incline leading into a dwell 165 at which position the arms 145 are located with their gripping portions 147 in alinement with the bin outlet 27 so as to receive and engage the filled capsule. From the dwell 165 there is a rise leading into another dwell 166 which corresponds to a position of the arms where their gripping portions 147 are in alinement with the gripping portions 43 of the arms 38, 40 at which the cover is replaced on the capsule body. Finally, there is a further rise to the dwell 164 corresponding to the return of the platform 142 to its initial position.

In order that the arms 145 may close around the filled capsule body at opening 27, a stop 167 may be provided. on the plate 14 in position to abut the lever 151 as the gripping portions 147 surround the capsule body. Said abutment causes the lever 151 to retract the roller 150 so that the arms gradually close upon the capsule body under a proper tension of the spring 148 and with a suitable degree of slowness, whereby the gripping portions will uniformly reliably engage the capsule body. The lever 151 may abut a stop 151a carried by a fixed arm 152 of the platform to limit retraction of the lever and hence of the roller so that the latter will lie at the ends 149 of the arms.

Since the removed capsule cover is held by the arms 38, 40 at the left hand side of the bin, it is necessary to swing these arms into position at the right hand side for replacement of the cover 1,993,992 on the 'c'apsiile body. Hence a pair ofdiametrically opposite fingers 168 may-be connected to the cam 45 on the underside thereof for successive intermittent angular movement of the arms 38, about the axis of the bin. Hence the platform 142 may carry a dog 169 for. actuating a finger 168 on every reciprocation of the platform. To permit the dog to return past the next succeeding finger 168, the dog is preferably pivotally mounted at 179 and engaged by a leaf spring 171 which may be secured to the platform and so arranged that the dog is swingable counterclockwise to return under a finger 168, but is not swingable clockwise, so as to positively actuate a finger 168 for rotating the arms 38, 40.

In order to assure that the arms 38, 40 will move through precisely an angle of 180 degrees upon each reciprocation mentioned, the cam may have diametrically opposite dwells 172 engageable by a roller 173 carried by a rod 174 that is slidingly mounted in a sleeve 1'25 within which is disposed an expansion coil spring 176 for causing engagement of the roller and cam. It will be understood that the rotation of the cam 45 is clockwise, the roller 1'73 riding up along the rise 177' as the cam is turned by a finger 168. Then, when the dog 169 can no further actuate the finger 168, the half rotation is completed by the movement of the roller 1'73 down along the incline 1789f the cam, the roller being strongly actuated by the power stored in the spring 176. When the roller enters a. dwell 172, the half turn is completed. In this manner the arms 38, 40 are intermittently rotated through angles of 18d degrees.

When arms 1&5 carrying a filled capsule body are in operative alinement with the gripping portions 43 of the arms 33; 10, means is provided for forcing the capsule cover from said portions a. and onto the capsule body. For example, an

ejector bar 179 may be slidably guided in 'vertically spaced alined bosses 189, 181 and may be held from turning as by a pin 182 in the boss operating in a suitable keyway in said bar. The bar 1'19 is provided with an upper. downwardly bent portion 183 disposed above the gripper portions 43 and in alinement therewith so as to strike the upper closed end of a capsule cover and force the same into closing position on a capsule body held by the arms 145. For reciprocating the member 179, a cam 184 may be fixed on the countershaft 19, this cam acting on a roller 185 of a lever 1S6 pivoted at an end at 187 on a bracket arm 188 extending from the frame member 13. The other end of the lever has a socket and guide 199 for coacting with the lower slightly educed portion 190 of the member 179 and slidingly receiving the pin 191 for a pivotal lost motion connection. The bar 179 may carry a collar 192, an expansion coil spring 193 may act between the collar and the underside of the boss 189. The cam 134 will be seen to have a high dwell 194 and a low dwell 195 corresponding to elevated and depressed positions of the ejector portion 183. As heretofore described, after the capsules are finally closed, the arms 14-5 continue their movement toward the right, when they are opened for dropping the capsule into a suitable chute or container, not shown.

The connecting'rod 126 for operating the cam 129 may be connected at 195a to the platform 1 1-2 for actuation by the reciprocation of the latter.

In filling the capsule body at the opening 27 of the bin 25, a suitable valve'control and agitata v a W ing device-for the powder or material in the bin may be employed. One form of valve may consist in a-rod or stem 196 coaxial within the bin and having at its lower'end a pin or needle typevalve 197 which may be formed by undercutting. the rod. The valve 197 may enter or seat in the, outlet 27, and it may have at itsupper portion {an annular shoulder of angular or other form made by the undercut, and which shoulder may-seat upon the upper peripheral portion surrounding.

the outlet 27. Thus an ample closure forv the finest powder is obtained. By makingthe lower end of the valve 197 of flat form, the same may operateupon vertical reciprocation as a plunger for positively expelling a quantity of powder.

For operating the stem 196, the same maybe slidingly mounted, and may carry .a transverse bar 199 in the upper part-0f the bin, and slidingly pass through a hole 199 in thecover 28 of the bin. At its upper portion the stem hasa bend- 200 and passes thence vertically slidingly downward through the guide lugs 33, and hence past the frame plate 15 to be actuatedat its lower end:

by suitable operating mechanism, as will be de-. scribed hereinafter.

The agitating means which prevents banking;

of the powder and assures a uniform feed thereof may include a plurality of rods 202 secured at their upper ends to a circular frame 203 which may be connected to the bar 198 so astobe carried by the stem 196. The lower. portions 204 j of the rods are bent to follow the conical contour of the lower portion of the bin and'may approach into relatively close proximity to the out-.-'

let 27. Hence reciprocation of the stem 196 9 causes a corresponding movement of the agitator.

rods particularly along the wall of the. bin to assure full movement of the powder. i

In order-that the filling means, may be opera-1 tive with capsules of different sizes, it may be de-V I sirable that the outlet 27 shall be raised or lowered according to the adjustment of the machine.

It may therefore be provided that the bin 25. as a whole shall be verticallyadjustable. Withit the valve 197 carried by the stem 196 and the as-- sociated agitating means 202 may be correspond ingly adjustable vertically. However, such ad- To effect vertical adjustment of the bin 25, the bar 35 connected to the bracket carrier 32 may 1 be utilized. Coacting with this bar 35 there may be a lever207 having a hub 208 whereby it is pivotally mounted on lugs 209 that may proiect from the underside of the frame plate 14.

This lever 29 may have an arm 210 which may be actuated by a pin 211- slidingly fitted inan opening 212 of the frame plate 14. Fixed on the" screw 77, there maybe a cam 213whichis turned thereby and actuates the" pin 211 downward.-

against associated parts on the other end of the lever.

weight exerted by the M1125, and its 11';

207. The latter end'of the lever may have a head 214 on which the lower end of the bar 35 may.

bear. Hence the elevation of the outlet 2'? may be adjusted by turning the finger piece 103.

To cause agitating and feeding reciprocation of members 196 and 202, a camV22-on theshaft i 19 may. be used. This cam may have a follower lever 215 provided with a roller 216 for moving 1 along thecam. Thelever 215may have a pivot.

217 one second lever 218 that is pivoted at one joined to a collar 226. fixed on the bar 35.

When the bar 35 is vertically adjusted by the finger piece 103, the cam 221 is turned by the members 224, 225, raising or lowering the follower 222,and hence the pivot 217 while the roller 216' continuously engages the cam 22. Due to the change in position ofthe pivot 217, the lever 218 isswung with its head 223 moving up or down in synchronism with the bin 25, so as to correspondingly adjust the positionsof the valve 197 and the agitators 202.

The cam 22 may have a large dwell 227 and a series of tooth like projections 228 which latter causethe reciprocation for agitating and feeding the powder from the bin 25 into the capsule body.

In order to impart vibration to a capsule that is being filled with powder so as to assure complete uniform filling of all capsules, and/or to prevent the filling means from discharging powder in the event that the machine should be running without having a capsule for receiving the powder, the following means may be used. The lower end of the rod 138 may have a bell crank lever 229 pivotally connected thereto as by a lost motion connection at 230, the bell crank being pivotally mounted at 231 on an arm 232 of the bracket 139. The lever 229 may pivotally be connected at 233 to a link 234 that is joined with a lost motion pivotal connection at 235 with an end 201a of the bar 201. The end 201a may form a split leg that is pivoted at 237 on the bar 201. Now, when the carrier 128 is in its uppermost position, in other words, without carrying a capsule, the bell crank lever 229 is swung counterclockwise to move the split leg 201a toward the left, as shown in Fig. 3, and out of engagement with the actuator head 223. In this position the weight of the related parts may be carried by any suitable stop or directly by the shoulder at the valve. 197. No motion can in this position of the split leg be imparted to the valve 197 and the agitating means 202. When a capsule moves onto the carrier 128, it depresses the same, as previously described, and while the carrier moves upward according to the depth of the recess 129 in the seating of the capsule, yet the carrier does not attain its initial elevation, due to the spacing caused by the capsule. Now with the carrier 128 depressed, the bell crank lever 229 moves the split leg, 201a toward the right and into engagement with the head 223. When the head 223, and

hence the bar 201 reciprocate, the pin 236 mayhave suflicient frictional engagement in the slot of the connection 235 to impart a very slight vibratory impulse through the members 229, 234 and the rod 138 to the capsule seated on the carrier 128 to facilitate the filling of the powder thereinto.

The essential principles in the operation of the machine may now be briefly described. The capsules, which are of i any well known type, are loaded into the chute 55 and received one by one in the gripper portions of the arms 52. In this initial operation the capsules may have their covers thereon. Now the arms 52 begin to travel into alining coaction with the adjacent arms 38. 40, underneath the latter. The stripper bar between the vertically spaced arms now engages and strips the cover of the capsule, thrusting the same upwardinto the arms 38, 40. Thereafter the arms. 52 carrying the capsule body continue their movement toward the right and into alinement with the outlet 27 of the bin 25. Meantime the arms are moving toward the left and into alinement with the adjacent arms 38, 40. Now the arms 52' deposit the capsule body on the, carrier at 129. Thereupon the valve 197 opens and reciprocates together with the agitators 202 to fill the capsule body. When the latter is suitably filled, and the arms 145 having continued their movement toward the left, they engage the capsule body and begin their returnmovement toward the right. The arms 145 dwell in alincment with arms 38, 40 which have in the meantime been swung through an angle of 180 degrees to bring the capsule. cover into position for replacement on the body. Now an ejector 183 descends and expels the cover from the arms 38, 40 onto the capsule body held by the arms 145. Then the arms 145 continue their movement toward the right, the lever 151 striking the stop 155 to cause the arms 145 to open and release the capsule. The cycle of operations now begins again, and is such that two capsules are simultaneously acted upon by the machine.

I claim:

1. A capsule filling machine including guiding means for capsules, a reciprocatory means for receiving and engaging a capsule from the guiding means, a stripper means, a cover holding means in temporary alinement with the stripper means, a filling means for the capsule body, the reciprocatory means moving into successive alinement with the stripper means and the filling means, the stripper means removing the cover of the capsule and causing engagement thereof by the cover holding means in the first position of alinement of the reciprocating means, a carrier means for supporting the capsule body in alinement with the filling means, means coacting with the recip- I rocatory means to cause the latter to release the capsule body for seating on the carrier means, a second reciprocatory means for engaging the filled capsule body, actuating means for causing a movement of the cover holding means to a point remote from the filling means and in the path of movement of the second reciprocatory means, the latter being movable into alinement with the cover holding means, an ejecting means for moving the capsule cover out of the cover holding means and onto the capsule body held by the second reciprocatory means, and means for causing the second reciprocatory means to release the sealed capsule.

2. A capsule filling machine including, a filling means, holding means for the capsule, means for supplying a capsule to the holding means, means spaced from the filling means for stripping the cover from the capsule, means to cause the holding means to move successively into cover stripping relation to the stripping means and into capsule filling position relative to the filling means, means to receive the cover from the stripping means, means to move the cover to a different position in spaced relation to the filling means, means to cause the holding means to release the capsule body at the filling means, movable means to receive the released capsule body, means to cause a movement of the movable means into alinement with the cover receiving means, and

means to cause the cover to move from the cover receiving means onto the' capsule body in the movable means.

3. A capsule filling machine,-including means for holding a capsule, means for stripping the cover from the capsule, a filling means, reciprocatory means for moving the holding means into filling relation of the capsule body with the filling means, a separate reciprocatory means for moving capsule body out of filling relation, and means for causing replacement of the cover on the capsule body.

4. A capsule filling machine including means for holding a capsule, means for removing the cover or" the capsule including a stripper means and a cover holding means in alinement therewith, and means for causing the stripper means to remove the cover of the capsule and cause the said cover to be forced by the stripping means into the cover holding means.

5. A capsule filling machine, including. a capsule feeding means, a filling means, a swingable capsule cover removing means spaced therefrom, means for receiving and holding a capsule, and means for causing a reciprocation along a straight path of the capsule holding means with the latter moving in one direction into successive operative relation with the cover removing means capsule cover holding means, means for moving a capsule into proximity to the cover holding means, means for stripping the cover from the capsule and moving the same into the cover holding means, the means for moving the capsule being movable to bring the capsule into filling relation to the filling means, means for releasing the means for moving the capsule, other means for engaging the capsule and moving it into operative relation with the cover holding means after rotation of the latter, and means for causing movement or the cover from the cover holding means onto the capsule.

7. A capsule filling machine including means providing a path of movement, a filling means intermediate the ends of said path, a plurality of reciprocatory means movable along the end portions or the path on respective sides of the filling means, one of said reciprocatory means feeding a capsule to the filling means, another of the reciprocatory means removing the filled capsule, and means for removing the cover from the capsule carried by the first reciprocatory means and for placing said cover on a capsule carried by the second reoiprocatory means.

8. A capsule filling machine including a filling means, means for holding a capsule, stripper means for removing the cover of the capsule, the holding means moving the capsule body into position to be filled by the filling means, separate means for removing the filled capsule body, and means for replacing the cover on the body, and including a single means for. receiving the capsule cover from the stripper means and moving said cover into position relative to the separate means to be replaced on said body.

9. A capsule filling machine including a filling means, capsule carrying means including separate members movable along a pathon opposite sides of the filling means, one of said membersbeing adapted to bring the capsule into register with the filling means, meansfo'r removing the capsule cover at a point in the path of travel of the member on one side of the filling means, and means for replacing the cover on the capsule at a point of said path on another side of the filling. means.

10. A capsule filling machine including a filling means, a valve tending to close the same, movable meansautomatically movable toward the filling means to support a capsule in register with the filling means, control means for the valve, and means actuated by the movable support for rendering the valve control inoperative when the support is free of a capsule, said capsule constituting a spacer between the filling and supporting means to depress the latter when the capsule is positioned thereon so that the valve can operate.

.11. A capsule filling machine including a plurality of gripping elements for engaging. a capsule, a plurality of. cams individually coacting with said elements to cause the same to grip the capsule, means to move said elements relative to the cams,- and means to move the cams with respect to each other for adjusting the gripping action of the elements.

12. A capsule filling machine including a split capsule chute, and means for moving the parts of said chute with respect to each other, whereby the chute is adapted to guide capsules of different diameters, and a separate receiving means communicating with the chute and including capsule holding parts movable with the chute parts.

13. A capsule filling machine including means for stripping the cover from a capsule body, a powder bin having an outlet, means for successively moving said capsule body into alinement with said outlet and then to a point beyond said outlet, said point and said stripping means being spaced from said outlet, rotary means coairial with said outlet for moving from alinement with the stripping means to alinement with said point, said rotary means receiving the cover from the stripping means and holding the cover in position at said point to be replaced on the capsule body, and means for causing the cover to move from said rotary means onto the capsule body.

14. A capsule filling machine including a straight longitudinal track, stripping means for removing a cover from a capsule body, a powder bin having an outlet, recapping means for causing replacement of the cover on the capsule body, said stripping means, said bin and said recapping means being successively spaced along the track, reciprocatory means movable along said track for moving the capsule body successively from association with the stripping means into alinement with the bin outlet and the recapping means, and means torv moving the cover from the stripping means to the recapping means.

15. A capsule filling machine including a lonfilling means for moving the capsule body into alinement with the latter, a recapping means spaced from the filling means, a second reciprocating means movable along the track between the filling means and the recapping means, and rotary. means coaxial with the filling, meansfor moving the cover from the stripping means to therecapping means.

16. A capsule filling machine including a track having opposite cam guides extending therealong, a plurality of arms for gripping a capsule, said arms being movable along the track in engagement with the cam guides to hold the capsule with different degrees of pressure, and a single means for adjusting the cam guides.

1'7. Acapsule filling machine including a track, a bin having an outlet, said bin being positioned along the track, a capsule feeding and a cover stripping means successively spaced along the track at one side of said bin, a recapping means along the track at the opposite side of said bin, capsule body holding means reciprocatory along the track for successive movement between the feeding means, stripping means and the bin, a second means reciprocatory along the track between the bin and the recapping means, means to cause the first reciprocatory means to release the capsule body at the bin and the second reciprocatory means to receive and hold the capsule body, and means to move the cover from the stripping means to recapping means.

18. A capsule filling machine including a powder bin having an outlet, holding means having an opening for receiving a capsule body and moving the same into alinement with said outlet, and unitary means for adjusting the size of said opening and the axial distance between the outlet and the holding means.

19. A capsule filling machine including a cover stripping means, a filling means, a holding means for moving a capsule body from the stripping means to the filling means, means for receiving the cover from the stripping means, and a single means for adjusting the elevation of the filling means and the cover receiving means relative to'the holding means for accommodating capsules of different lengths.

20. A capsule filling machine, including a cover stripping means, a powder bin having an outlet, a recapping means, a holding means for moving a capsule body from the stripping means into successive alinement with the bin outlet and the recapping means, and rotary means coaxial with the bin outlet for moving a cover from the stripping means to the recapping means, said rotary means including a plurality of arms, one of said arms being movably carried by the other arm, and means urging said arms toward each other to engage the cover therebetween.

21. A capsule filling machine including a powder bin having an outlet, a cover stripping means, a recapping means, reciprocatory means including elements for moving the capsule body successively from the stripping means into alinement with the bin outlet and the recapping means, and cover holding means for moving the cover from the stripping means to the recapping means, said cover holding means being actuated by an element of the reciprocating means.

22. A capsule filling machine including a cover stripping means, a powder feeding means having an outlet, a recapping means, holding means for moving a capsule body from the stripping means into successive alinement with the feeding outlet and the recapping means, and rotary means for moving the capsule cover from the stripping means to the recapping means, said rotary means being mounted on the feeding means.

23. A capsule filling machine including atrack, a capsule feeding chute, a cover stripping means,

and a filling means successively spaced along the track, a platform movable along the track, a plurality of arms pivotally mounted on the platform for receiving and gripping a capsule, and means for moving said platform so that the arms successively aline with the chute, the stripping'and the filling means.

24. A capsule filling machine including a split chute for the capsules, means having an opening for receiving said capsules from the chute, and a unitary means for adjusting the size of said opening and the spacing between the parts of the split chute for accommodating capsules of different sizes.

25. A capsule filling machine including a chute for capsules, holding means for receiving and holding the capsules, a cover stripping means, means for moving the holding means from the chute to the stripping means, and a unitary means for adjusting the chute and the holding means to receive capsules of different diameters.

25. A capsule filling machine including a plurality of interrelatively movable arms pivoted at one end and having the other end thereof free for receiving and gripping a capsule therebetween,

adjustable means below the arms coacting therewith for limiting the length of the capsule received therein, and a traveling platform for mounting the arms and for carrying the same into and out of coaction with the adjustable means.

27. A capsule filling machine including a plurality of interrelatively movable arms for receiving and gripping a capsule therebetween, means to limit the length of the capsule received in said arms, and a unitary means for adjusting said means and the movement of the arms for gripping the capsule, whereby capsules of different sizes are accommodated.

28. A capsule filling machine including means for holding a capsule, a cover stripping means for removing the cover from the capsule body, said cover stripping means having an open recess for receiving the capsule body and bearing on the edge of the cover, and means for mounting the stripping means for yielding movement toward the holding means so as to receive capsules of different sizes held by the holding means.

29. A capsule filling machine including means for'holding a capsule, a stripping means having an open recess for receiving the capsule body whereby the stripping means can bear upward on the edge of the capsule cover for removing the same from the capsule body, means for moving the holding means to bring the capsule into said recess, and means for moving the stripping means upward to remove the cover.

30. A capsule filling machine, including a powder bin having an outlet having seating means for an open capsule, carrier means for holding a capsule against the seating means in alinement with said outlet, and vibratory means including a frictional slip joint for delicately virbrating the carrier means while the same maintains the capsule seated on the seating means.

31. A capsule filling machine including a filling means, a cover stripping means, holding means for a capsule, the holding means being successively movable into association with the stripping and the filling means, seating means for the capsule body for receiving the capsule body from the holding means and supporting the same at the filling means, a recapping means, a second holding means for receiving the capsule body from the seating means and movable into association with the recapping means, and means for receiving the cover from the stripping means and moving the same to the recapping means. i

32. A capsule filling machine including a plurality of interrelatively movable arms for holding a capsule therebetween, a traveling platform for carrying said arms, means along which said platform travels, actuator means mounted on the platform and movable into and out of engagement with said arms to permit movement thereof away from and toward each other, and spaced members on the platform carrying means associated with the actuator means for causing movement thereof as the platform travels to different positions.

33. A capsule filling machine including a filling means, a cover stripping means, a recapping means, rotary means for moving the cover from the stripping to the recapping means, and reciprocatory holding members to move the capsule from the stripping means to and away from the filling means and into coaction with the recapping means, and one of the holding members having releasable coaction with the cover moving means to swing the latter through a predetermined angle upon movement of the member in only one direction.

34. A capsule filling machine, including a bin having an outlet, means to hold a capsule in register with said outlet, the holding means being movable into predetermined spaced relation with the outlet according to the length of a capsule body thereon, a valve for the outlet, a support, interconnecting means between the holding means and the valve, said interconnecting means being engageable and disengageable with the support to control the position of the valve, said interconnecting means being movable by the holding means into engagement with the support to open the valve in one position of the holding means,

and the interconnecting means being caused by the holding means to release the support for closing the valve in another position of the holding means. I g

35. A capsule filling machine including a feeding means, a cover stripping means, a filling means, agitator means for the filling means, a recapping means, means for moving the cover from the stripping to the recapping means, a plurality of re'ciprocatory capsule holding means, one of which is movable between the feeding, stripping, filling means, and the other between the filling and the recapping means, and a unitary drive to operate all of said means.

36. A capsule filling machine including a filling means, means for receiving and holding a capsule portion in register with the fillling means, means for stripping the cover from said capsule portion, means for moving said capsule portion from the stripping means to the receiving and holding means for engagement bythe latter, means for placing a cover on the capsule portion, and means for moving the capsule portion from the receiving and holding means to the cover placing means.

37. A capsule filling machine including a powder bin having a vertical outlet having a seat, carrier means for holding an open capsule against said seat in communication with said outlet, and vibratory means including frictional lost motion means for imparting a vertical vibration to the carrier means.

38. A capsule filling machine including a powder bin having a vertical outlet having a. seat, carrier means for holding an open capsule against said seat in communication with said outlet with the capsule engaged with the carrier means solely at the lower end of the capsule, and vibratory means including a frictional slip connection for imparting a vibration to the carrier means.

RAFFAELE FERRO. 

